Snow

@just4him (303373)
Green Bay, Wisconsin
January 22, 2019 12:55pm CST
I know many of you don't like snow and consider it a bad four letter word. This is not a post about my infatuation with snow, but to tell you about snow. I've been conversing with @rebelann about snow and though I've grown up with it all my life, I never gave it much thought. Yet there is a lot to consider when it comes to snow. For starters, and this is true for Wisconsin and perhaps wherever you have snow. If your snow differs, let me know. There are two major types of snow. Heavy wet and light and dry. Heavy wet snow is the best for packing snowballs, building snow forts, building snowmen, and I'm guessing skiing, and other winter sports. It's also hard on the back for shoveling because it is so heavy. Slushy snow is usually the product of heavy wet snow. Light and dry snow lack moisture. You can't do anything with it as it has no packing power to it for snowballs. It also brushes away easily. We had that variety last night. The gentleman from the pool told me he used his leaf blower to blow it off his driveway this morning. I easily brushed it off my car windows before I left for the pool. Snow can cause hazardous driving conditions, particularly when it's the heavy wet variety as that is usually the kind from which you get sleet, a combination of rain and snow when the temps aren't cold enough for snow and not warm enough for rain. So, you get a mixture. That mixture causes icy roads and accidents more than heavy wet or light and dry. You can also have icy road conditions for light and dry when the temps rise as they did during the night and the roads begin to thaw making them wet as they were this morning. When that happens, even light and dry can become slippery. I took my time getting to the pool this morning as the roads were icy in spots. Heavy wet snow also makes for slushy road conditions. Slushy snow makes for dirty snow as the tires will whip up the snow from the surface and fling it wherever, even your windshields. Slushy snow isn't slippery but if temps drop, it too can become slippery travel. If you haven't experienced snow, driving in it could be dangerous in itself. You can't drive at normal speeds. That's how accidents happen. Try coming to a stop at a red light when you're going your normal speed and the roads are slippery as they were this morning, and I guarantee you won't stop when you want to and sometimes not where you want to. When temps start to drop late in the afternoon and evening, there is another road hazard you need to be aware of - black ice. They call it black ice because you can't see it until you hit it and your car is suddenly out of control. You can have black ice from any type of snow as it happens when temps drop well below freezing, usually in the subzero temperatures. I hope this helped your understanding, and if you have something to add about snow in your area, I would love to hear about it and gain further education. Thanks for reading. The picture is from December 2017.
20 people like this
21 responses
@TheHorse (203753)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jan 19
Great post! I remember my snowy Midwestern days and think you got it right. Light fluffy snow can be pretty, but it's useless for a good snowball fight or a decent snowman. The WORST (in my recollection) is when it's 34 degrees F out, you get some good snow man action, but then everything melts in the late afternoon sun and refreezes when it 18 F overnight, leading to black ice everywhere.
4 people like this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Jan 19
Thank you. Yes, when it melts and ices overnight, it's dangerous. I loved those snowball fights as a kid.
2 people like this
@marlina (154183)
• Canada
25 Jan 19
Did you ever build snow forts?
3 people like this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
25 Jan 19
@marlina No, but my brother did. He and the neighbor boys down the street would have some terrific snowball fights.
2 people like this
@amadeo (111956)
• United States
22 Jan 19
we also had a small amount then turn to ice
3 people like this
@amadeo (111956)
• United States
22 Jan 19
@just4him right now is okay.They say the temp going to hit 50 Thursday?Unbelievable
3 people like this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
23 Jan 19
@amadeo That is unbelievable. We're going down into the deep freeze again after this storm.
2 people like this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Jan 19
It's bad when it turns to ice.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84649)
• United States
22 Jan 19
I don't mind snow until it melts in the roads and it becomes oily slush.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (45331)
• India
26 Jan 19
@AmbiePam yes oily slush is even tougher to negotiate.
2 people like this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
23 Jan 19
That is a slushy mess for sure.
2 people like this
@akalinus (40352)
• United States
22 Jan 19
I hate driving in snow. When it is blowing at you sideways and you can't see where you are going, you don't know if you are on the road or not. Then you see headlights coming for you and swerve to the right to avoid a collision and hope you don't go too far over and skid into a ditch or crash into something. Wet snow is called heart attack snow if you are shoveling. Powder snow will just blow with the wind.
2 people like this
@akalinus (40352)
• United States
26 Jan 19
@just4him My son was in high school wrestling. They had a rule that tournaments could only be held in blizzards and arctic cold. At least, I think they did.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
28 Jan 19
@akalinus It's strange they would only play in blizzards and arctic cold. I think you're funning with me.
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Jan 19
I've driven in that snow. I drove from Chicago to Green Bay. It wasn't more than a few flakes when I left, but it soon became a whiteout and dangerous. It took me 7 hours to get home on a normal 4-hour trip. The semis were the worst. They would blanket my windshield with snow and I couldn't see anything. Totally scary event. I stick close to home when I know snow is coming.
1 person likes this
@ilocosboy (45161)
• Philippines
22 Jan 19
Very informative for me who never experience snow in my whole life
2 people like this
@TheHorse (203753)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Jan 19
@just4him You should invite him/her over to visit!
1 person likes this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
26 Jan 19
@TheHorse That's a far way to travel to experience winter.
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Jan 19
Thank you. I'm glad I was able to help you understand it better.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34202)
23 Jan 19
Wow, that was an informative and insightful discourse on snow, thanks! I'm sure you have seen all the different types you described where you live, lol.
2 people like this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
28 Jan 19
@dgobucks226 Is it a surprise when you get snow?
1 person likes this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
23 Jan 19
Yes, I have. I'm glad it was informative for you. Do you live in snow country?
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34202)
26 Jan 19
@just4him Not too bad Valerie. I live in the Central/Southern part of New Jersey. Many of the bigger snow accumulations are north of my location. We usually get 1-2 major storms each year though.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (110771)
• El Paso, Texas
23 Jan 19
I am so glad that it rarely snows here, if it does I merely stay home Thanks for the shout out.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (110771)
• El Paso, Texas
23 Jan 19
The weather has been very different these past few years but thankfully not much snow as of yet @just4him After the last drought finally ended we got a major change in when the rains would come and because of that there are insects here that I've never seen before. In 2017 some little black gnat like insects would fly into my eyes, nose and ears. I've had both eyes swell up on me because of them but thankfully not both at one time. Being a desert our climate changes are a little different from what you'd get.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
23 Jan 19
You're welcome. I hope this answers all your questions. I'm glad it rarely snows there too. We have enough imbalance with the weather due to global warming.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
23 Jan 19
@rebelann I'm sorry the insects have increased. You might need to wear sunglasses outside to keep the bugs out of your eyes. Yes, it is different from here.
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (40718)
• Wapello, Iowa
22 Jan 19
You covered it very well. I can't think of anything to add.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (203753)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Jan 19
Snow forts, when the drifts get really high?
2 people like this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Jan 19
Thank you.
2 people like this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
26 Jan 19
@TheHorse High drifts make it difficult but not impossible.
1 person likes this
@pjmurphy (2500)
• United States
22 Jan 19
Our small amount of snow is all melting today.
2 people like this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Jan 19
That's good for you.
@NJChicaa (115622)
• United States
22 Jan 19
skiing in light, dry snow is called skiing in "powder". Most of us here on the East coast aren't very used to that. . . or we weren't until they improved snow-making capabilities. When I was growing up, I was very good at skiing on ice and heavy, wet snow. My family took a trip to Aspen, CO once and it was a whole different world being up to my knees in fresh powder.
2 people like this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Jan 19
I wondered about powder. Thanks for that explanation.
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109865)
• Los Angeles, California
22 Jan 19
Light snow is powder snow?
2 people like this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Jan 19
Yes, as I learned from NJChicaa above. I've heard the term powder all my life but didn't know exactly what it was. I knew it was snow and related to skiing.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129132)
• Israel
23 Jan 19
@just4him Wow, this is a post describing snow. I am happy that you like it but I still do not like it.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
23 Jan 19
@Hannihar From the comments, they did.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
23 Jan 19
I know you don't. Yes, I described it to let people who didn't know what it was like, know about it.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129132)
• Israel
23 Jan 19
@just4him I understand now. I hope others saw what you were telling them.
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26786)
• United States
23 Jan 19
Learned a lot from your post. Living in the tropics here in Hawaii the only place we would ever get snow is atop Mauna Kea and may be Haleakala at Maui. (2017):
A Winter Weather Advisory is being issued for the summit of Haleakala on Maui as an upper level disturbance brings below-freezing temperatures to the House of the Sun.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
23 Jan 19
I heard about the snow back in 2015 mentioned in the article. That was the first time I realized it snowed in Hawaii.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
24 Jan 19
@oahuwriter Sounds like a good plan.
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26786)
• United States
24 Jan 19
@just4him Only at the high mountains with right conditions does it snow in Hawaii. For the children the merchants or other interested groups fly in snow for the children to enjoy at Christmas usually.
1 person likes this
• Rupert, Idaho
22 Jan 19
Growing up around snow I did know all of this....but definitely helpful to many out there! We haven't had too many bad snow storms this winter so far and hope it stays that way!
2 people like this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Jan 19
Almost none around here. So, I'm happy with the current storm.
1 person likes this
• Rupert, Idaho
23 Jan 19
@just4him same here!
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (45331)
• India
25 Jan 19
The conditions where vehicles can skid or people can slip while walking. I was in England during Nov to Dec 2005. I saw that the authorities used to spray salt on roads with black ice conditions. And it was the first time I came to know or see such things. How is the weather now at your place?
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (45331)
• India
26 Jan 19
@just4him Oh that is so good! And has the sunshine too come out?
1 person likes this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
25 Jan 19
Beautiful. Lots of wonderful snow. The roads aren't bad.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
27 Feb 19
I have experienced plenty of both types of snow and I am happy to not have to this winter.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
27 Feb 19
I'm sure you are. We've had the light fluffy snow this winter, which when it melts is a real hazard on the roads.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (93525)
• Marion, Ohio
22 Jan 19
I hate all of it. But I did know most of that stuff. We get both types of snow.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203753)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Jan 19
@just4him I MISS it!
3 people like this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Jan 19
I know you hate it.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
26 Jan 19
@TheHorse Would you miss it this weekend with negative air temps and even greater negative wind chills and a dangerous storm coming in tomorrow night that will give us another 9.4 inches? As much as I love snow, even I'm staying put in this storm. It was -20 this morning with -30 wind chill. The wind chill advisory is over, so the temps are hopefully on the rise as we're supposed to be in the single digits today. But tomorrow night will be another story.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
23 Jan 19
I’m so glad I don’t have to deal with snow, ice, and bitter cold anymore.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
23 Jan 19
@just4him I would and thanks for understanding.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
23 Jan 19
@DianneN That's what friends do - understand.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
23 Jan 19
I'm glad you don't either. I know you would be miserable in it.
1 person likes this
@nela13 (55684)
• Portugal
23 Jan 19
I didn't know there are 2 types of snow
1 person likes this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
23 Jan 19
I'm glad I let you know about it.
1 person likes this
@nela13 (55684)
• Portugal
23 Jan 19
@just4him Thank you Valerie
1 person likes this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
24 Jan 19
@nela13 You're welcome.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203478)
• Nashville, Tennessee
22 Jan 19
We only got a few flakes and that was it.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Jan 19
That's not much.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303373)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Jan 19
@CarolDM I know you aren't.
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203478)
• Nashville, Tennessee
22 Jan 19
@just4him I'm not complaining.
2 people like this